A MAN has appeared in court for fraudulently claiming hundreds of pounds in council tax reductions.

The investigation by Richmondshire District Council found that David Howard's false claim deprived the public purse of almost £800.

The 42-year-old, of Bedale Road, Scotton, submitted a claim for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) in the name of his mother and supported the application with a tenancy agreement that was subsequently found to be fake.

An investigation into the CTR claim was conducted by Veritau, the council’s fraud investigation service, following suspicions raised by council staff in the benefit and council tax departments.

The claim and tenancy agreement claimed that Howard’s mother lived at the property by herself. However the investigation proved that Howard and his wife were also living at the property.

As a result of his fraudulent activity his mother was awarded £770.61 which she was not entitled to. She was unaware of her son's fraudulent application.

Howard pleaded guilty to all charges at Darlington Magistrates Court this week and was fined £1,250 and ordered to pay £770.61 compensation, £252 costs and a £125 victim surcharge.

Council leader, Yvonne Peacock, said: “This fraud was a calculated attempt to reduce the amount of council tax they had to pay for the property."